Guzmangarza Witness Recounts Alleged Assault

In a case that becomes stranger with each session, the preliminary hearing of accused plastic surgeon impersonator Carlos Guzmangarza continued yesterday with the testimony of a witness who claimed she was sexually assaulted while seeking treatment for stretch marks.

The 49-year-old Guzmangarza is charged with running a Mission District business called Derma Clinic, where he allegedly posed as a physician’s assistant named Carlos Guzman and performed botched cosmetic surgery while defrauding victims of thousands of dollars. He is now in custody in lieu of $1 million bail.

Presiding judge Hon. Loretta M. Giorgi assisted Monday’s questioning from Assistant District Attorney Evan Ackiron and public defender Michelle Tong, because repeated questions and the sensitive nature of the case made the witness visibly distraught. Find out more HERE.